A daily devotion for March 9th

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

New International Version

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ...then make my joy complete by being like-minded... (Phil 2:1, 2)

Life Application: Christian unity is one of the great privileges to be appreciated and preserved in His Body. Are we exploring the alternatives to disunity, in order to preserve this precious heritage?

A daily devotion for March 10th

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himselfby becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

New International Version

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5)

Now we come to what I think is the most breath-taking passage in all of Scripture. This passage on the glorification of our Lord Jesus is the Mt. Everest among the mountain peaks of revelation concerning the Person of Christ, the amazing story of how the eternal Son of God stepped out of eternity into time, and became a man as God intended man to be. These few short verses capture some of the most amazing truths that have ever confronted the minds of men.

Life Application: The account of the humility of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is totally counter-intuitive to this world's system, exposing the total folly of our own pride. Have we grasped the transcendent beauty of authentic humility?

A daily devotion for March 11th

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest placeand gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father.

New International Version

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name... (Phil 2:9)

Our Lord Jesus was given in his resurrection and ascension that name which is above every other name that has ever been given in heaven and on earth. It is the name we call Jehovah. It is translated Lord in our English versions of the New Testament. That is exactly what Paul says: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Life Application: Because of the miracle of Christ's indwelling Presence, Christ's disciples have access to the mind of Christ Himself! Do we value this incomparable treasure, bringing our own thinking under His Lordship?

A daily devotion for March 12th

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

New International Version

...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil 2:12b-13)

Life Application: 'Christ in you' is a mystery which God reveals to His children. Alive in us he harmonizes our choices with both his will and his actions, for his good pleasure. Are we seeking by the tutelage of His Spirit to make choices that conform to God's good pleasure?

A daily devotion for March 13th

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

New International Version

Do everything without grumbling or arguing... (Phil 2:14)

Life Application: Do we have a lifestyle of complaint that simply discredits the authenticity of our Christian witness? What is the counterpart to grumbling and argument that will release the Light of Christ in this world's darkness?

A daily devotion for March 14th

16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

New International Version

And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Phil 2:16b)

Life Application: What is our highest goal and our greatest joy in this earth's pilgrimage? Do we need to reaffirm the privilege of a life poured-out in joyful obedience to the One who alone can produce the fruit of His Spirit?

A daily devotion for March 15th

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

New International Version

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. (Phil 2:20)

We meet two friends of the Apostle Paul in this last half of chapter two. These were real men who quite unconsciously display the character of Jesus Christ, excellent examples of all Paul has been writing about.

Life Application: Are we self-satisfied with 'random acts of kindness' which may cost us little? As we consider the incomparable sacrifice of our Lord on our behalf, can we do less than worship Him with all we have and are?

A daily devotion for March 16th

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill.27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety.29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

New International Version

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. (Phil 2:25)

Life Application: 'Random acts of kindness' can be self-satisfying, even self-promoting. What is the contrasting source of a life characterized by helpful, un-selfconcious caring for others?

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

New International Version

In our series on the highlights of the life of Jesus, we have come to that which is preeminent above all else; the scene of the crucifixion. I know this story has a perennial power to fascinate the human heart.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

New International Version

Now we come to what I think is the most breath-taking passage in all of Scripture. This passage on the glorification of our Lord Jesus is the Mt. Everest among the mountain peaks of revelation concerning the Person of Christ, the amazing story of how the eternal Son of God stepped out of eternity into time, and became a man as God intended man to be. These few short verses in this simple little letter written to the believers in Philippi many miles away from Rome, capture some of the most amazing truths that have ever confronted the minds of men.